Georgia Septic Installer Practice Test

What are the components of the waste treatment process in septic systems?

1. Collection, treatment, discharge

2. Storage, processing, release

3. Digestion, separation, filtration

4. Sedimentation, decomposition, absorption

The correct answer is: Sedimentation, decomposition, absorption

The components of the waste treatment process in septic systems are accurately represented by the choice that includes sedimentation, decomposition, and absorption. In septic systems, waste first undergoes sedimentation, where solid waste settles to the bottom of the tank, forming sludge. This process allows for the separation of solids from liquids, which is essential for effective treatment. Following sedimentation, decomposition takes place. This biological process involves bacteria breaking down organic materials in the sludge, reducing the volume of waste and transforming harmful pathogens into less harmful substances. Finally, absorption occurs when the liquid effluent is released from the septic tank into the drain field. Here, it is further treated as it percolates through the soil, which naturally filters and purifies the wastewater before it reaches the groundwater. These steps are critical to ensuring that the septic system effectively manages waste and protects the environment from contamination. The other choices do not capture the specific processes involved in waste treatment in septic systems as accurately as this one.